PEORIA, Ill. (June 20, 2019) – Blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, and more donations are needed now to replenish the blood supply. Roll up a sleeve, give blood and help ensure patients in the Peoria area and across the country have the blood products they need. Join the American Red Cross and students of East Peoria Community High School at the 13th annual Rock N’ Roll Up Your Sleeve Blood Drive Wednesday, July 17, from Noon to 6 p.m. at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center, 101 Mariners Way in East Peoria.
Rock with the sounds of 105.7 FM the X as they broadcast live from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All presenting donors will receive an entry into a drawing for One night at Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center East Peoria in a Theme Suite Room valued at $150, a coupon for one pint of Culver’s Frozen Custard and a coupon for East Peoria Chick-Fil-A while supplies last. In addition, there will be local food favorites for donors to enjoy following their donation.
New donors, those who haven’t given recently and regular donors are urged to give now to help
ensure blood donations are available all summer long – one of the most difficult times to collect enough blood to meet patient needs.
This blood drive comes as the Red Cross is urging individuals to help ensure blood is never missing from hospital shelves by donating blood or platelets through the Missing Types campaign. Despite blood’s lifesaving role, only 3 out of 100 people in the U.S. give blood each year. The goal of Missing Types is to inspire new and current blood donors to give this summer and help fill the missing types.
“105.7 the X has always been a great supporter of the American Red Cross by playing a big role in this blood drive,” said Ellen Mickels, donor recruitment account manager for the American Red Cross Heart of America Blood Services Region. “Their efforts, coupled with the East Peoria Community High School students and our recent relaunch of the Missing Types campaign, will help ensure that the shelves are restocked with blood products needed throughout the summer.”
Every two seconds in the United States blood is needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. The Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,500 hospitals nationwide.
How to donate blood
Simply download the Red Cross Blood Donor App or visit RedCrossBlood.org and use sponsor code: ROCKNROLL, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, from a computer or mobile device. To get started and learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.